Buying a hot tub should be exciting. You’re picturing relaxing evenings, warm water on cold winter nights, hydrotherapy after a long day, and a backyard space you’ll actually use year-round.
But choosing the right hot tub involves more than comparing prices and counting jets.
Over the years, we’ve seen buyers make some of the same mistakes again and again. Some result in a hot tub that’s less comfortable than expected. Others can make installation more complicated or leave the owner wondering who to call when they need service.
If you’re thinking about buying a hot tub, here are five common hot tub buying mistakes to avoid before making your decision.
When you start comparing hot tubs, it’s easy to focus on numbers.
How many jets does it have? How many pumps? What’s the horsepower? How many seats? Which model has the longest list of features?
Those specifications are useful, but they don’t tell the whole story.
Two hot tubs can look very similar on paper and provide completely different experiences once you’re sitting in them.
What matters is how the entire spa works together: the design of the seating, placement of the jets, comfort of the seats, construction of the spa, and how effectively the pumps and jets deliver the experience you’re looking for.
More jets don’t automatically mean a better hot tub.
Instead of asking which spa has the biggest numbers, consider how well the hot tub is designed and whether those features actually improve your experience.
Where should you put your hot tub?
Many homeowners immediately think about where it will look best in the backyard. That’s important, but there’s another question that’s arguably even more important:
Where are you most likely to actually use it?
Think about convenience, privacy, your view from inside the spa, and especially the distance between the hot tub and your house.
A spot at the far end of the patio might look fantastic on a summer afternoon. But imagine making that same walk when it’s 20 degrees outside and there’s snow on the ground.
Suddenly, having the hot tub closer to your back door can seem like a very good idea.
The easier your hot tub is to access, the more likely you are to use it throughout the year.
This one surprises people.
You might assume you should finish designing the patio, finalize the landscaping, talk to the electrician, and figure out every detail of your backyard project before buying your hot tub.
In many cases, choosing the hot tub first can actually make planning the rest of the project easier.
Once you’ve selected the specific spa, you know important details such as its exact dimensions, electrical requirements, desired orientation, and what’s needed to get it into the backyard.
Your contractor, electrician, and landscaper can then plan around the actual hot tub instead of making assumptions about what you might purchase later.
If a hot tub is going to be a major part of your new backyard, consider choosing the spa you want and designing the surrounding space around it.
Would you buy a new car without ever sitting in the driver’s seat?
A hot tub deserves similar consideration.
You can spend hours researching hot tubs online, looking at photos, reading specifications, and comparing features. None of those things can tell you exactly how a hot tub is going to feel to you.
People come in different heights and body types, which can make the experience of sitting in the same spa very different.
When you’re shopping, consider questions such as:
Are the seats comfortable?
Is the water depth right for you?
Do the jets hit the areas you want them to?
Does a lounge seat fit your body comfortably, or do you tend to float out of it?
Is there enough foot room when several people are sitting in the spa?
Whenever possible, sit in the hot tub before buying it. Better yet, find a dealer that allows you to schedule a hot tub wet test.
Actually getting into the water can tell you more about whether a spa is right for you than another hour spent comparing specifications online.
This can be one of the most expensive hot tub buying mistakes.
You find a hot tub online or at a big-box retailer for thousands of dollars less than another model. At first glance, it seems like an easy decision.
But before buying based primarily on price, make sure you’re comparing more than the price tags.
Ask:
How is the hot tub constructed?
How well is it insulated?
What components are used?
What does the warranty cover?
How much could it cost to operate?
And then ask a question that’s easy to overlook when everything is brand new:
Who’s going to take care of the hot tub after you buy it?
Who delivers it? Who helps you get started? Who teaches you how to maintain the water? Who handles warranty issues? Who stocks replacement parts?
And when something eventually needs service, who is coming to your home to fix it?
There’s an important difference between finding an inexpensive hot tub and buying a cheap hot tub.
The purchase price is only one part of the cost and experience of owning a spa. Construction, energy efficiency, warranty coverage, parts availability, service, and dealer support can all contribute to its long-term value.
One of the most important things to remember when shopping for a hot tub is that you’re not simply choosing a product.
You’re also choosing the company that will stand behind it.
A knowledgeable hot tub dealer should be able to help you select the right spa, think through the best location, understand what’s required before delivery, learn how to care for your water, and get service when you need it.
That relationship can become particularly important several years after the initial purchase.
If you’re shopping for a hot tub in Orange County or Westchester County, New York, or Fairfield County, Connecticut, visit Orange County Pools & Spas.
Our showrooms have multiple hot tubs on display, with spas available for wet testing so you can experience the difference for yourself instead of making your decision from a brochure or website.
We’ll help you choose the right hot tub, determine the best location, understand how to prepare for delivery, and learn what you need to know to enjoy your new spa.
Most importantly, we’ll still be here to help after the sale.
Visit our hot tub page to learn more about our hot tubs or stop by one of our showrooms to start your search.
